Preview — Room on the Broom
by Julia Donaldson

Room on the Broom

How the cat purred and how the witch grinned, As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind. The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It's a case of the mHow the cat purred and how the witch grinned, As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind. The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It's a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn't used to such a heavy load and it's not long before...SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch's animal pals better think fast. A very funny story of quick wits and friendship, The Room on the Broom is another smash hit from the unparalleled picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. This edition features the captivating classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans - big and small!Also available with redesigned covers are The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, The Snail and the Whale, The Smartest Giant in Town, Monkey Puzzle, Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, and A Squash and a Squeeze....more

Community Reviews

This is absolutely my FAVOURITE picture book! (No, I don't think I'm too old for them!)I have also seen the BBC version, and thought it was bloody good!

This is the story of a kind witch and her cat, merrily flying on their broomstick!

But after a while, the wind starts playing havoc and every now and then, some thing or the other goes flying off the broom, which causes them to make many pit stops! But at every stop they make a new friend, who wants to tag along, and the witch obliges, much to thThis is absolutely my FAVOURITE picture book! (No, I don't think I'm too old for them!)I have also seen the BBC version, and thought it was bloody good!

This is the story of a kind witch and her cat, merrily flying on their broomstick!

But after a while, the wind starts playing havoc and every now and then, some thing or the other goes flying off the broom, which causes them to make many pit stops! But at every stop they make a new friend, who wants to tag along, and the witch obliges, much to the chagrin of her cat!

And then there comes a dragon and the problem of how this little company would deal with him.

Towards the end, the witch comes up with such a lovely solution to help all of them have enough Room on the Broom, that it practically made me want to clap my hands and jump up and down! :D...more

Our family is a big fan of this story on Netflix which is where I first heard the story. I had seen the book in bookstores and was interested in this book, but it was seeing the show that got me to order up the book. I think this is totally going to be a classic like the Polar Express.

The rhymes are wonderful and the characters are lovable. The TV show is so well done that it outshines the book a bit, at least for someone who saw that first and read the book later. They adapted the shEnchanting!

Our family is a big fan of this story on Netflix which is where I first heard the story. I had seen the book in bookstores and was interested in this book, but it was seeing the show that got me to order up the book. I think this is totally going to be a classic like the Polar Express.

The rhymes are wonderful and the characters are lovable. The TV show is so well done that it outshines the book a bit, at least for someone who saw that first and read the book later. They adapted the show faithfully to the work and it fills in many gaps. Still, everything is here in the story, accept that the cat does not want the other animals on the broom. That was added for the show. But the glee of the witch is here with her loyal animals.

This, archetype-ally, is about the power of the Crone. She cares for others and they become loyal to her. They area force for good. She is not alone after all her children are gone. It's a great representation of that.

The kids love this story. They have watched the show over and over and love the book. They both gave the book 5 stars, which might not be fair, but they love it. They can practically recite the lines of the book. Still, it's the first time to read it for all of us.

It makes me think that many of the stories out there could be turned into wonderful TV shows like Room on the Broom with the right team. I like the idea. It would help many of them not be forgotten. That is something sad I see is how many children's books are forgotten after 10 years and the collection moves on without them. ...more

"The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?"

I think this is possibly the best kids book I've ever read. It rhymes, so there is a real flow - and my young follower, who was 6 easily supplied all the end words at the right points, which I thought was quite funny, because being a boy, he couldn't read, but he had more or less remembered every word of this book.

We just loved the story, the frog with his pond, the cat, the dog and a bird - overload the broom to the inevitable snap point - but the witch is too generous to worry about details lI think this is possibly the best kids book I've ever read. It rhymes, so there is a real flow - and my young follower, who was 6 easily supplied all the end words at the right points, which I thought was quite funny, because being a boy, he couldn't read, but he had more or less remembered every word of this book.

We just loved the story, the frog with his pond, the cat, the dog and a bird - overload the broom to the inevitable snap point - but the witch is too generous to worry about details like that, and anyway she simply magics up a new broom at the end of the story, a new de-luxe version. There's a dragon, who is scared away by the joint, although unplanned creation of a monster, covered in mud.

It seems to appeal to adults and kids equally - which is what you want - if you have to read it about 50,000 times....more

It is in my opinion often rather difficult if not even pretty well rare to find poetry specifically conceptualised for younger children that is not only thematically and content wise fun and engaging but that also presents itself at the same time as lyrically and rhythmically adept (in other words, I mean to say that I do tend to find it often not all that easy to find children specific poetry that does not read somewhat awkwardly and haltingly at times, that continuously presents both a good anIt is in my opinion often rather difficult if not even pretty well rare to find poetry specifically conceptualised for younger children that is not only thematically and content wise fun and engaging but that also presents itself at the same time as lyrically and rhythmically adept (in other words, I mean to say that I do tend to find it often not all that easy to find children specific poetry that does not read somewhat awkwardly and haltingly at times, that continuously presents both a good and successful rhyme scheme and a decent and melodious lyrical flow).

So yes, indeed, I have been very much pleasantly surpised by Julia Donaldson's presented verses in her utterly delightful Room on the Broom. For while the important and necessary messages regarding kindness and sharing (and that if one is generous and solicitous then that same consideration will also often if not even usually be repaid and repaid in full) are of course pretty overtly presented in Room on the Broom, Julia Donaldson's rollicking rhymes are not only fun and engaging, not to mention sweetly lyrical, they also very much make both readers and listeners forget that the presented messages are rather in one's face so to speak, they make us simply enjoy and appreciate Room on the Broom as a sweet little story of a kind and caring witch making room on her broom for the diverse animals that had helped her find her lost or rather her "blown off the broom" clothing and witchery accoutrements (and who is later then rescued from a vile dragon by those same and grateful animal friends). Four stars for Julia Donaldson's text, for her warm and fuzzily sweet poetry, but rounded up to a full five stars, as Axel Scheffler's accompanying illustrations are simply and utterly aesthetically to die for (both humorous and also filled with much emotionality, and the coup de grace for me personally is that while Axel Scheffler of course makes the witch of Room on the Broom look decidedly crone-like with a pointy nose and a bit of a wart, he also has drawn her as someone with a sympathetic countenance and mindset, as well as thankfully not with the so often prevalent and popular green hued skin)....more

Great read aloud! Great rhyme! There is just the right amount of funny vs. scary. There’s a really fun and surprising and creative ending. (I was really tempted to tell what exactly, but then I’d have to use a spoiler box for a children’s picture book.) Oh, and the illustrations are wonderful!

A fun, rhyming text all about sharing and how it can have unexpectedly positive results! :-) I loved the "surprise" at the end. After I read the book, I read up on the author/illustrator in the back flap as usual and discovered that they're from the UK. Reading the text with a British accent makes it even more fun! ;->

Found this book in Barnes & Noble today. I opened it, started reading, and before I knew it I was reading it like story time to my mom who also really loved it. It's now one of our favorite books! The words were instantly narrated in my mind, the story and characters cute, the art is beautiful. Absolutely all ages will love this.

Following the resounding success of my Locus Quest, I faced a dilemma: which reading list to follow it up with? Variety is the spice of life, so I’ve decided to diversify and pursue six different lists simultaneously. This book falls into my BEDTIME STORIES list.

I have a little boy and love reading to him, so this reading list will cover the classic (and new) children’s stories we’re enjoying together.

A really good read-aloud story, with great rhythm, rhyme and repetitive elements. My son is 1Following the resounding success of my Locus Quest, I faced a dilemma: which reading list to follow it up with? Variety is the spice of life, so I’ve decided to diversify and pursue six different lists simultaneously. This book falls into my BEDTIME STORIES list.

I have a little boy and love reading to him, so this reading list will cover the classic (and new) children’s stories we’re enjoying together.

A really good read-aloud story, with great rhythm, rhyme and repetitive elements. My son is 16 months old, and Room on the Broom is currently his second favourite book - he goes and gets it himself from his book shelf most days, which is really cute.

Admittedly his favourite book in the whole wide world is a bland little story about monkeys - but it does have a button which makes monkey noises when you press it, so I can see the appeal!

Noisy books aside, this is the best. He likes to point at the witch and the cat and the dog and the bird and the frog. He likes to mimic the dramatic, booming, Brian Blessed-esque voice I used for the 'down came the broom' line, around which each verse hinges.

And you can never get them started on fantasy too young - good witches and bad dragons - perfect! We'll get him reading Tolkien before he's ten...

Room on the Broom is an exciting, enchanting story of a good natured witch and her cat that meets new friends along the way, a dog, a bird, a frog and invites them onto her broom. It has a nice rhyming flow to the story which will keep children engaged plus the use of repetition. The pictures are mesmerising and really do bring the story to life. There is very descriptive use of words for the characters in the book, particularly when describing the horrible and frightful beast. There is a moralRoom on the Broom is an exciting, enchanting story of a good natured witch and her cat that meets new friends along the way, a dog, a bird, a frog and invites them onto her broom. It has a nice rhyming flow to the story which will keep children engaged plus the use of repetition. The pictures are mesmerising and really do bring the story to life. There is very descriptive use of words for the characters in the book, particularly when describing the horrible and frightful beast. There is a moral to the story. If you treat others well, the rewards will show. It is a story of friendship and help in times of need. This is an excellent read for preschool children and Year 1 and perfect for Literacy. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book and I am now looking forward to reading “The Gruffalo” which is also by Donaldson and Scheffler.

Anyone with small children (and older ones too, I'm sure) will be familiar with Julia Donaldson, in particular The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which - along with Room on the Broom - have been made into animated films that regularly show on the ABC. My son, at three, enjoys the books but finds the movies too scary - he's still young like that.

Room on the Broom is about a witch with "long ginger hair in a braid down her back" and a cat and a broomstick and cauldron. They're flying through tAnyone with small children (and older ones too, I'm sure) will be familiar with Julia Donaldson, in particular The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which - along with Room on the Broom - have been made into animated films that regularly show on the ABC. My son, at three, enjoys the books but finds the movies too scary - he's still young like that.

Room on the Broom is about a witch with "long ginger hair in a braid down her back" and a cat and a broomstick and cauldron. They're flying through the sky, having a peaceful, calm trip, when the wind snatches off her hat. A dog helps her collect it and in return she offers him a ride. Next she loses the bow from her hair, and a green bird brings it back. It, too, gets "room on the broom". And so on, until the broomstick is heavy and snaps in two. They all fall to the ground, and the witch encounters a big, red, terrifying dragon who wants to eat her. Her new friends save her, she makes a spell for a new broomstick, and off they go again - in style and comfort this time.

I love it when picture book authors work closely with the same illustrator for their books - like Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake, or Mem Fox and Julie Vivas; you start to instantly recognise their books based on the style of drawings, and come to associate the drawings with the author. (From a marketing perspective, it's a perfect way to make an instant connection with buyers as they scan the shelves.) There's also a comfort aspect at play - the same can be said of authors like Alison Lester, who do their own illustrations and also have a distinctive style. Such books tend to stick with you longer.

Room on the Broom has a delightful rhyme that almost sounds like song, or music - any picture book that rhymes like this is a pleasure to read out loud. The story just flows so well, it's fun to read, and pleasurable to the ear. Doesn't stop a kid from interrupting, though!

Over the fields and theforests they flew.The dog wagged his tailand the stormy wind blew.The witch laughed out loudand held on to her hat,But away blew the bowfrom her braid - just like that!

Julia Donaldson is another children's author I find myself gravitating towards whenever I'm looking for a new picture book - between her, Alison Lester, Mem Fox, Oliver Jeffers and a few others, you're never short of titles to consider! ...more

‘Room on the Broom’ by Julia Donaldson is a beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of a delightful witch who has the misfortune of losing her possessions while on one of her magical flights in a gusty wind. However, on the way she meets various animals who help her as she goes in search of her lost items in return for a spot on her broom. Unfortunately, the witch’s broom breaks in mid air under the weight of its passengers and they face the danger of being eaten by a hungry dragon. Th‘Room on the Broom’ by Julia Donaldson is a beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of a delightful witch who has the misfortune of losing her possessions while on one of her magical flights in a gusty wind. However, on the way she meets various animals who help her as she goes in search of her lost items in return for a spot on her broom. Unfortunately, the witch’s broom breaks in mid air under the weight of its passengers and they face the danger of being eaten by a hungry dragon. This book is suitable for children aged 2-7. It’s written in rhyme and accompanied by a large font which keeps the interest of the child but also allows them to read along with whoever they chose. The repetition ensures it is accessible for small children and gives them the option of reading along in song or words. After reading the book, children get a sense of the importance of friendship and sticking together. The illustrations are magnificently sharp and colourful and again allow the child to actively take part in the story and question what may or may not happen next.

This fun picture book by Julia Donaldson tells the story of a kind-hearted witch and her loyal cat flying through the night sky, when they bump into many colourful characters during their journey, who end up joining the broomstick. Disaster strikes after a while, when the broomstick snaps in half under the weight of several new passengers collected along the way, and the witch finds herself face to face with a very hungry dragon!

The repeated rhyming structure of the book makes it brilliant forThis fun picture book by Julia Donaldson tells the story of a kind-hearted witch and her loyal cat flying through the night sky, when they bump into many colourful characters during their journey, who end up joining the broomstick. Disaster strikes after a while, when the broomstick snaps in half under the weight of several new passengers collected along the way, and the witch finds herself face to face with a very hungry dragon!

The repeated rhyming structure of the book makes it brilliant for children who are starting to gain confidence at reading aloud to an adult and would also be useful for whole class reading sessions in a foundation stage or Year 1 class, where the children could join in with the repetition. It would also be a great book to practise using different expressions and voices to suit the range of different characters. The Year 1 class I read this to loved the vivid and imaginative illustrations and enjoyed discussing the moral of the story; when you give out kindness you receive it in return. ...more

We love this book. My daughter requests this book often. It is a great book to read during Halloween time or anytime really. The artwork is fun and perfect for the story. My daughter will say lines from the book. It is very cute! She even got the DVD for Christmas last year.

My youngest sister found this in a Hermanus book shop when she was 3. I read it to her so many times that I could recite it by heart- so could she! I will always love this book, for the amusing rhyme and all the attached memories.

Henry saw the movie first (highly recommend. 30 min long I think). I didn't realize it was a book. Got the book, and Henry immediately took a liking to this book. I was surprised how well he sat and listened to the whole story, as it was kinda long for his attention span.

It is about a witch with her companion cat, and something happens and she finds another companion to add to the broom. After adding several companions, the witch is approached by a dragon...well, read the rest to find out whatHenry saw the movie first (highly recommend. 30 min long I think). I didn't realize it was a book. Got the book, and Henry immediately took a liking to this book. I was surprised how well he sat and listened to the whole story, as it was kinda long for his attention span.

It is about a witch with her companion cat, and something happens and she finds another companion to add to the broom. After adding several companions, the witch is approached by a dragon...well, read the rest to find out what happens!

There isn't anything scary or gruesome (i.e., no one got killed). I recommend watching the movie as well. It was done well and true to the book (which is rare!). ...more

This is a fun rhyming tale about sharing and helping one another. The witch is not scary, although the dragon might be a bit fearsome for younger children. The illustrations are colorful and very adorable.

I read the book on my own, but then our girls and I watched a couple of narrated versions online. The addition of music and different character voices certainly made the book even more entertaining and we loved the ending. Overall, it's a fun book to read aloud and we enjoyed listening to it tThis is a fun rhyming tale about sharing and helping one another. The witch is not scary, although the dragon might be a bit fearsome for younger children. The illustrations are colorful and very adorable.

I read the book on my own, but then our girls and I watched a couple of narrated versions online. The addition of music and different character voices certainly made the book even more entertaining and we loved the ending. Overall, it's a fun book to read aloud and we enjoyed listening to it together....more

A witch’s belongings are stripped from her by the wind when she’s out for a ride on her broom. In exchange for their help, three friendly animals ask for a lift on her broom. But when she needs their help most, when faced with a dragon, can they help her?

As always, the rhyming schemes and alliteration are addictive and the illustrations are wonderful. Not my favourite Julia Donaldson offering, but lovely nonetheless.

Room on the Broom is a delightful rhyming story. The witch and the animals all show kindness one towards another, which pays off in spades when the witch gets in trouble. The repetitive rhyme scheme will lure in young readers and keep them interested. The wonderful cartoon-like illustrations will also give young readers much to pore over.

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Growing upI grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).

Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out ChoGrowing upI grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).

Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.

I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.

Busking and booksBefore Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.

The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.

I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.

One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.

My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.

I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.

Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.

When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking....more